Runners, Re-Enactors, and Revelers at the Lockhouse

Neary 400 runners greeted the cool crisp morning here in Havre de Grace for the second running of the Pirate Fest 5K Run, which kicks off a weekend of festivities at the Susequehanna Museum at the Lock House!

Runners from all over the region, and as far away as Champaign, IL, helped swell the entry field from about 115 last year, to more than 380. Professional timekeepers, a crew of 30 volunteers and a dedicated staff of organizers and publicists helped the give the Lockhouse Museum a running start on a weekend of festivities.

Runners began gathering around 7 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of , the museum site, to sign up. The offical start, officiated over by an authentic pirate in full regalia, started on Juniata Street at 8 a.m. Runners traversed a course that took them from north to south, through back streets, and along , past the and museums, the , and back through dowtown to finish at the .

Many were delighted by the crisp morning air, the relatively flat course, and the picturesque beauty of the race's setting.

The fastest time was posted by Alex Loper of Bel Air, at 17 minutes 13 seconds. See the full results .

The race was only the beginning of a weekend of activities at the Lockhouse. During the day, Saturday and Sunday, authentic pirate re-enactors will be doing thier dasterdly work to the delight of crowds. They'll be staging skirmishes, and demonstrating pirate weapons and ways. They've even brought a cannon.

There will be guided tours of the North Park Trail, and tours of the Museum itself.

Even if you're not into pirates, either tour is well worth while, particularly if you haven't been to the museum for a while. You'll get to see our new scale model of a working lock!

If you're looking for piracy of the Jack Sparrow type, you can still get tickets to the 4th Annual Pirate Gala, under the big tent at the museum grounds. The dance runs from 7 to 11 Saturday night! Tickets are $50 per person. Catering is by the , and the Chris Sacks band will be playing "tropical favorites".

So grab your pirate gear and come on down!!!!!